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10 Must Have Items in a Woman’s Wardrobe

10 Must Have Items in a Woman’s Wardrobe

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Our world is now getting used to the new normal, where more people will be working from home and less people will be going out unless truly necessary. Consumers’ spending habits are also changing. According to a New York Times report, retail sales plummeted on apparel goods.  People would now rather buy essentials such as health, self-care and grocery items. While shopping for the latest fashion and trends now took a backseat, it does not mean that you should no longer care about how you dress when you go out. Dressing up is still part of success. There is no need to buy new outfits. All you need are the basics. For ladies, all you need are the must have items in woman’s wardrobe.

The must have items in a woman’s wardrobe never go out of style. These pieces are classic and timeless. They may not be trendy but wearing them will always make you look stylish and effortlessly chic. You can create polished outfits if you have these 10 essential items in a woman’s wardrobe:

1. White Button-Up Shirt

If you still don’t have a white button-up shirt, then it is time to purchase one. It is simple and classic yet you can use it in any occasion. You can pair it with anything.

Image Credit: Popsugar

2. Jeans

No other garment is as popular and well-received in the world as jeans. They are comfortable, easy to use and durable. You can wear them for years and still look good. It does not matter whether they are skinny, straight, cropped, flared or any other style as long as it is the perfect fit for you. You can have them in black, dark or light. It is all up to you. What matters is that you look great on them.

Image Credit: Instyle

But if you only have to choose one pair of jeans, choose a dark washed skinny or jeans. They are the most flattering. They are also the perfect jeans for dressing up of dressing down. If you find skinny jeans too uncomfortable, you can opt for slim straight jeans.

3. Black Trousers

Gone were the days were women were not allowed to wear trousers. Today, black trousers are essentials in a woman’s wardrobe especially for a career woman. Obviously, you can’t show up in a job interview wearing jeans. Black trousers are comfortable and easy to pair with.

4. Crew Neck White Shirt

Everyone should have a white crew neck shirt in their wardrobe. It is the most basic piece and essential piece of all. You can build any outfit from it.

If in doubt, anything looks good with a white shirt.

Victoria Beckham

5. Knee-Length Pencil Skirt

If you will only have one skirt in your closet, make sure it is a knee-length pencil skirt. You can wear this skirt in the workplace. You can also wear it in formal events just by pairing it with high heels. In the same way, you can wear it on casual occasions by pairing it with sandals or flats.

Image Credit: 1-Moda

6. Little Black Dress

Image Credit: Easterneye

7. Classic Black Blazer

Every woman should invest in one classic black blazer. You can wear this blazer with anything from jeans to dress, trousers, shorts, skirts, etc.. The colour black will go well with anything. The classic cut will make it look stylish yet elegant at the same time. It does not matter what brand. What is important is the fit.

8. Classic Black Pumps

A classic black pumps is a must have shoes for women regardless of age. The classic black pumps will go well in any occasion whether you are going to a party or simply going to work.  You can wear them with gowns, dresses, jeans, trousers, shorts and skirts.

9. Ballerina Flats

Ever since Audrey Hepburn was seen wearing ballet flats in the movie Sabrina in the 1950s, the ballet flats became a must-have in a woman’s wardrobe. It is simple, elegant and never go out of style. It is also comfortable that you can wear it all day long.

Image Credit: celebrityshoewatcher

10. White Sneakers

For your everyday comfort and casual wear, a pair of white sneakers is a must-have. Sneakers are classic and will never go out of style. They can be worn not only in jeans and shorts but also in skirts and dresses if you want to look cool.


Edited Version. Original first published in Pinoy Smart Living 07.23.2019Image Credit: Photo Mix from Pixabay Images

Posted by A.L. Jonas in Physical, 0 comments
Dress for Success

Dress for Success

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Have you heard of the saying that you should dress for the job that you want, not the job that you have? While what you wear does not define your value as a person, it is a fact that what you wear influences how others see you. Your clothing makes a strong visual statement on your confidence level and how you see yourself. It is also a way to show respect not only to the situation but also to the people whom you are going to meet and talk to. Career counsellors know this well that is why they advise people to always look good and look professional especially on a job interview. That is why, you should always dress for success.

Studies

There are several studies that prove how your appearance highly influences not just how others perceive you but also how you conduct yourself in a particular situation.

In a co-study made by Micheal Krauss, a professor at Yale University and the Journal of Experimental Psychology in 2014, 128 men from different backgrounds and income levels were engaged in a negotiation game, acting as buyer and seller. The group was divided into three: one group in business attire, the second group wore sweatpants, shirts and sandals and the third group just wore their ordinary clothes.

Results showed that those who are dressed up ended up with the most profitable deals compared with their poorly dressed counterparts.

In another study on formal attire made by Abraham Rutchik, a professor of psychology at the California State University, Northridge; results showed that wearing formal attire increased abstract thinking. Abstract thinking makes you think more broadly. It enhances creativity and problem solving. It helps you deal with complex data and strategies making you feel powerful.

Putting on formal clothes makes us feel powerful, and that changes the basic way we see the world.

– Abraham Rutchik

So, the effect of dressing up affects not only you but also others around you. You gain confidence and you elicit the feeling of power. The observer on the other hand, could feel this feeling of confidence and in return will show you some respect.

Dressing up does not necessarily mean that you should always wear suits neither does it mean that you should invest heavily on clothes. There are many ways to dress up without necessarily stretching your budget.

Tips

Here are some tips on how you should dress for success:

Assess the environment

Do your research first. Where are you going? Who are you going to meet? Is there a dress code? If you are going for a job interview, find out about the industry. What do they normally wear? It is very important to wear the appropriate clothes.

Plan ahead

Don’t just pick up the first thing that you see in your closet. It helps to plan what you are going to wear the night before.

Stick to the basics

Normally, a classic and minimalist look is always stylish and sophisticated. While bold patterns and prints can work, neutral colours are the best. You don’t need to have a closet full of the latest trends, all you need is a few basic fashion must haves. Basic classic fashion never goes out of style.

Iron your clothes

Remember that how you dress says something about yourself. Showing up with wrinkled clothing gives an impression that you couldn’t care less. Perfectly pressed clothing is mandatory not just in interviews but in all occasions.

Wear clothes that fit you well

The most important aspect in dressing is the fit. The brand nor the price tag does not matter. Your clothing should fit the body perfectly. You want to avoid clothing that is too loose or too tight.

Dress comfortably

Dressing comfortably will help you relax. However, dressing comfortably does not mean baggy sweatpants or slippers. You can still wear comfortable clothes without sacrificing style. The key is balance. If you want to wear a loose top, wear something fitting for your pants.

Do not show too much skin

Never be overexposed. Unless you are going to the beach, keep your cleavage and your belly button covered. The less skin you show, the more professional you look.

Do not over accessorize

Accessories are useful in enhancing an outfit. However, if you wear them all together at once, it becomes a fashion failure. Be content with wearing just one or two. Invest in a statement piece like a watch, bracelet or bag.

It is better to be overdressed than be underdressed

Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe believes that it is better to be overdressed than underdressed. If you are not sure what to wear, dress in such a way that you look like you have a very important meeting to attend to.

Be yourself

Lastly, don’t be afraid to show your individuality. Add a touch of yourself in your outfit whether it is the colour, the pattern or the accessories.


First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 06.25.2018
Feature Image by Stock5nap from Pixabay Images.

Posted by A.L. Jonas in Physical, 1 comment